March's Health Genie

Dear Genie,
I love buying food in the Bulk department of the co-op, but can’t find many Gluten-Free varieties of items.  You have a lot of these products prepackaged in your store, so why not have them in the bulk department too?
Signed,
GF Co-op member

Dear GF member,
The bulk foods section can be a tricky place to store some items, including those that are Gluten-Free. Because the products are stored in bins and are briefly exposed while being vended, there is always a chance of particles migrating to another bin. This is an important factor in considering those shoppers who may have a gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease. For this reason, some Co-ops decide to limit the number of Gluten-Free items in their Bulk department in order to focus more on having them prepackaged in other parts of the store.

Carrying them this way helps eliminate any risk of the product mixing with something else. There are some bulk items that are naturally Gluten-Free that you can consider in your cooking, as well. The grains, rice, and quinoa, for example, are all naturally free of gluten and can be prepared for you in a number of ways (pasta, flour, rolled into flakes, etc). I hope this helps to answer your question. For more information on what City Market carries for Gluten-Free items, please see our brochure available near the Customer Service desk or ask any staff member.
Love,
Genie